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Swimming pool sex abuser jailed for ten years

A FARMWORKER who subjected a boy to “disgusting” sexual abuse has been jailed for ten years.

A York jury heard the boy’s mother trusted Richard David Gill, whom she knew, to look after her son on swimming trips when he was ten and 11, in the 1970s.

Instead, Gill sexually assaulted the child at Yearsley Swimming Pool in York and in a remote part of a farm. He had also displayed “deviant” sexual behaviour which the boy had witnessed and experienced.

The abuse ended when he was 11.

York Crown Court heard how 30 years later, the boy could still remember how painful some of the abuse had been, and how it had affected the rest of his life, including his relationship with his mother.

She only found out about the abuse after it had stopped, and was guilt stricken that she had failed to stop it.

The Recorder of York, Judge Stephen Ashurst, said it was not her fault and that Gill had grossly breached her trust.

He told Gill, now 67: “As a 28-year-old man, you began abusing a ten year old boy in a disgusting way over a long period of time.”

The abuse has had long-term consequences both for the boy and his mother.

Gill, of Long Street, Easingwold denied six charges of indecent assault and two more serious sexual offences, but was convicted at a trial at which the victim and his mother gave evidence.

Detective Constable Vincent Morris, said: “It took immense courage for the victim to come forward to the police after all these years and I would like to thank him for his bravery. Without his assistance, Gill would not have been brought to justice.

“I hope the sentence handed out today helps bring closure for the victim and allows him to move on with his life.

“It should also give other victims the confidence to come forward knowing that the criminal justice system will take them seriously and do everything possible to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Gill’s barrister Peter Byrne said he had only abused one boy. and had not offended since He had had opportunities to abuse others but had not done so.

He was in poor health and a prison sentence would be more difficult for him than for a younger man.